Kunming in 3 days

China's City of Eternal Spring: the Stone Forest, Dianchi Lake and the gateway to Yunnan's mountain kingdoms. Best time to visit: March-May, September-November. Average daily budget: $30 to $70 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Green Lake (Cuihu) area, The city's scenic heart: park promenades, cafés and the old university quarter.

Morning: Green Lake Park at dawn. Tai chi, dancing aunties, seagulls in winter, and the city's soul on display.

Afternoon: Explore Green Lake (Cuihu) area, The city's scenic heart: park promenades, cafés and the old university quarter.

Evening: Stone Forest (Shilin). A UNESCO-listed labyrinth of 270-million-year-old limestone towers, 90 minutes from the city.

Eat: Guoqiao mixian: cross-the-bridge rice noodles, Kunming's signature

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Jinma Biji & Nanping, The pedestrian shopping core under the Golden Horse and Jade Rooster arches.

Morning: Western Hills and Dragon Gate. Cliff-carved grottoes with a vertigo-inducing path and views over Dianchi Lake.

Afternoon: Explore Jinma Biji & Nanping, The pedestrian shopping core under the Golden Horse and Jade Rooster arches.

Evening: Cross-the-bridge noodles. Yunnan's signature dish: assemble your own noodle soup from raw ingredients in boiling broth.

Eat: Wild mushroom hotpot: Yunnan is China's mushroom kingdom (June-October is peak season)

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Guandu Old Town, A restored ancient town on the city's south edge with temples and snack streets.

Morning: Dounan Flower Market at night, when the wholesale auctions turn into a fragrant frenzy.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Guandu Old Town, A restored ancient town on the city's south edge with temples and snack streets.

Evening: Yuantong Temple, the city's grandest Buddhist temple, built around a reflective pool.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Rubing and rushan: Yunnan's grilled goat cheeses, rare in China

Hidden gems

Dounan Flower Market at night, when the wholesale auctions turn into a fragrant frenzy.
Yuantong Temple, the city's grandest Buddhist temple, built around a reflective pool.
The Yunnan Nationalities Village for a crash course in the province's 25 ethnic groups.
Jiuxiang caves: an underground gorge and waterfall system paired perfectly with the Stone Forest.

Getting around

Kunming Changshui Airport links all of Asia; the metro's Line 6 reaches the city in 40 minutes. The metro covers most sights, and Didi works well. High-speed trains to Dali (2 hours) and Lijiang (3.5 hours) leave from the main and south stations; book on Trip.com with your passport. The Stone Forest is best reached by tourist bus, tour or hired car.

Safety

Kunming is safe, relaxed and easygoing by Chinese standards. The altitude (1,900m) can leave you breathless for a day; hydrate and take it easy. At the Stone Forest, stay on marked paths. As everywhere in China, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before arrival since cash is rarely accepted, and download a VPN if you need Western apps.

Kunming in 5 days | Kunming in 7 days | Full Kunming guide